Conflicts in Sudan and Ukraine are hindering efforts to control Tuberculosis (TB) Conflicts in multiple world regions including Africa, Europe and the Middle East have created major barriers for people with TB receive critical treatment. The impacts of COVID-19 have also contributed to the resurgence of the infectious disease. “These challenges have been a setback in the fight against TB, reversing some of the significant gains we have made over the past 20 years in expanding access to prevention, testing and treatment, said Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership.
Tuberculosis has made a comeback domestically as well. The US saw an uptick in new TB diagnoses this past year. The CDC confirmed 8,300 new cases in 2022, representing a 5% increases from 2021. Even more concerning is the 26% increase in TB diagnoses in children under 5 years old. Cases in young children indicates that recent circulation of the virus, as opposed to a delayed onset of symptoms that can occur in older patients.
Full Story: The Washington Post, The Associated Press